British Universities: International Students' Alleged Lack of Critical Thinking

This paper investigates British academics' perception of international students' alleged lack of critical thinking and poor writing performance. This research is relevant to those students and academics expected to demonstrate competences required for acceptance in the English speaking academic environment. The aim of this paper is to investigate in detail those factors that make British academics devalue academic material written in English as a second language. Using literature review and literature analysis as research methods, the authors present a detailed summary of problems associated with international students' performance in the UK universities and conclude with a set of practical recommendations for Russian speaking students and academics

Nitric oxide availability is increased in contracting skeletal muscle from aged mice, but does not differentially decrease muscle superoxide

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species have been implicated in the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function that occurs during aging. Nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide are generated by skeletal muscle and where these are generated in proximity their chemical reaction to form peroxynitrite can compete with the superoxide dismutation to hydrogen peroxide. Changes in NO availability may therefore theoretically modify superoxide and peroxynitrite activities in tissues, but published data are contradictory regarding aging effects on muscle NO availability. We hypothesised that an age-related increase in NO generation might increase peroxynitrite generation in muscles from old mice, leading to an increased nitration of muscle proteins and decreased superoxide availability. This was examined using fluorescent probes and an isolated fiber preparation to examine NO content and superoxide in the cytosol and mitochondria of muscle fibers from adult and old mice both at rest and following contractile activity. We also examined the 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and peroxiredoxin 5 (Prx5) content of muscles from mice as markers of peroxynitrite activity. Data indicate that a substantial age-related increase in NO levels occurred in muscle fibers during contractile activity and this was associated with an increase in muscle eNOS. Muscle proteins from old mice also showed an increased 3-NT content. Inhibition of NOS indicated that NO decreased superoxide bioavailability in muscle mitochondria, although this effect was not age related. Thus increased NO in muscles of old mice was associated with an increased 3-NT content that may potentially contribute to age-related degenerative changes in skeletal muscle

Understanding plasma-ethanol non-equilibrium electrochemistry during the synthesis of metal oxide quantum dots

Plasma–liquid interactions are becoming increasingly interesting due to their key features such as non-faradaic, non-equilibrium behaviour as well as electron-driven reactions, therefore with potential strong impact for several promising applications. However, understanding reaction mechanisms initiated at the plasma–liquid interface is complicated by short timescales and spatial non-uniformities. Here we study a plasma–ethanol system that has general relevance to broaden our understanding of plasma interacting at the surface of a liquid. This plasma-electrochemical approach has been successfully used to synthesize a range of metal–oxide nanoparticles and quantum dots (QDs). While nanoparticles and QDs can be an end to this process, they can also be viewed as ‘chemical probes’ that help understanding the underlying and progenitor chemical reactions. We have therefore studied plasma–ethanol interactions during the synthesis of CuO QDs. The colloid was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Further, measurements for pH and other trace products were also carried out. The analysis shows the acidolysis of the ethanol electrolyte where hydrogen peroxide was found after the plasma process. A semi-quantification of Cu ions was carried out to confirm the anodic dissolution of the Cu metal foil. Thus, a detailed set of reactions are proposed and has been discussed in detail. Material characterisation relied on transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy which provided important and complementary information to corroborate chemical reaction paths

Low-Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Processes for “Green” Third Generation Photovoltaics

Special Issue: Plasma Processing of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage.International audienceAtmospheric pressure plasmas (APPs) have achieved great scientific and technological advances for a wide range of applications. The synthesis and treatment of materials by APPs have always attracted great attention due to potential economic benefits if compared to low-pressure plasma processes. Nonetheless, APPs present very distinctive features that suggest atmospheric pressure operation could bring other benefits for emerging new technologies. In particular, materials synthesized by APPs which are suitable candidates for third generation photovoltaics are reviewed here